Within Padgett’s term major works on government port and wharf facilities were continued, with the CCC’s important role in having the 1927 Ports work Bill passed to finance expansion of the pier and wharf. (Handbook and Directory 1928). The bill passed without a hitch because of the strong support from Cebuano legislators led by Senator Sergio S. Osmeña (the Philippine Assembly had become bicameral at this time).

By then the dominant commercial activity had shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific, making business more dependent on Cebu and its port, especially because of direct shipment to and from the port that resulted from persistence of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce.

Complementing infrastructure was an updating of public utilities in water, telephone, land transportation and electricity. There was some interest in a fledgling tourism industry based in Cebu because of greater accessibility of neighboring islands by boat and reasonable fare rates. (President’s Final Report 1928).